Look Behind You (Kendra Michaels #5)

“Why not?” She leaned back in the seat. “I don’t care where we go. Surprise me.”

“You are feeling good. That’s very tempting,” he said. “Okay, lean back and tell me all about your day. I won’t mention the fact that my hockey team lost.”

“You just did.”

“Only to make your day seem even brighter in contrast. Tell me.”

“It was that old Peter, Paul and Mary hit.” She leaned back, remembering that moment with Ryan. “‘Puff (The Magic Dragon)’…”

She had almost finished relating the last few minutes of conversation with Janice when they pulled into a huge restaurant whose entire roof was shaped like a red and yellow sombrero. It had arched windows lit with flashing colored lights and even a good-sized gift store. She laughed. “Good heavens, a little gaudy?”

“But great food and I thought you might be in the mood for a touch of flamboyance.” He opened the car door for her. “Okay, now it sounds as if you were understating your session today. I didn’t hear one thing that was less than spectacular…” He glanced up at the sombrero on the roof. “And flamboyant from the moment I left you. Right?”

“I’ve got to admit that—”

The studio is your home turf and he knows it.

“What’s wrong?” Lynch’s gaze was on her face.

“Nothing. I just remembered something you said right before you left.”

“You’re saying I managed to spoil something for you?”

“No, it was just— You didn’t spoil anything. My imagination was working overtime. You said something about Zachary knowing the studio was my home turf. It freaked me out. I felt as if he was there staring at me. I forgot about it right away.”

After she had gone back and locked the door.

His eyes were narrowed on her face. “What else, Kendra?”

“Nothing.” She smiled with an effort. “Not your fault. You were right to remind me.”

“Yes, I was right. I’d do it again. But I didn’t mean to freak you out.” He paused. “I don’t like that I was able to do that. You’re still freaked out talking about it now. Why?”

She shrugged. “I told you, imagination. Zachary has me strung out and I—” She stopped as she realized where this was going. “You’re saying you don’t think it was imagination? You’re saying that you think he might really have been there?”

“I’m saying that it might be imagination, but it might have also been instinct. You ought to consider who you are and how sharp those instincts have been shown to be. You shouldn’t just take it for granted. It might not be a bad idea for us to reexamine your studio and the grounds around it.”

“The studio has state-of-the-art security.”

“I know. I checked it out. Let’s go look at it again tomorrow.”

Instinct.

Kendra felt chilled. The studio, that place of joy and work and accomplishment that had given her one of the happiest days of her career today. The idea that Zachary might have been there, watching, perhaps manipulating, made her almost ill.

“Tomorrow,” Lynch said gently. “Come on. Let’s go into the restaurant and have dinner.”

“It could have been instinct,” she said slowly. “I guess I didn’t want it to be. I didn’t want him to be able to touch this part of my life. Why would he be there, watching me?” She answered herself. “Because it’s my turf. He was looking for bigger and better ways to destroy me or hurt me in some way.” Her lips twisted bitterly. “If I’m his prime victim, it can’t be just an ordinary kill. I have to be special.”

“You are special. And I’m a son of a bitch for not keeping my mouth shut until later.”

“No, I’m glad you did.” She was starting to shake. “Because then I wouldn’t have made the connection. I protected Olivia and everyone in my personal life, but I never thought of any of my clients. I thought my professional life was different, that he wouldn’t strike at them because he wouldn’t realize they could hurt me.” She looked at him. “But if he was watching today, he’d know that destroying Ryan and Janice might hurt me. You said I was glowing. He’d know, Lynch. Just as you said.”

“He might not have been there today, Kendra.”

“I realize that, but what if he was? I don’t lay claim to any weird psychic talents, but I do believe in instincts. Everyone has moments when they feel things. I felt as if he was there.” She moistened her lips, “And if he was, he might have found a way to hurt me by hurting that little boy and his mother.” She kept seeing Ryan’s face when he was singing that song and it was killing her. She took out her phone. “But I’m not going to let him do it.” She didn’t let herself think as she quickly dialed Janice Walker’s phone number.

It rang once.

Twice.

Three times.

“Kendra.” Janice picked up and Kendra could hear music in the background. “Everything is going fine. You didn’t have to worry.”

“I wasn’t worried.” The last thing she wanted to do was panic Janice unnecessarily. “I just had a thought. After Ryan’s emotional day today, he really shouldn’t have visitors tonight. No company but you, Janice. Lock up and just snuggle together. Okay?”

“Sure. No problem.”

“Except for me. If you don’t mind, I’ll stop by and give you and Ryan a celebration gift. I’ll call you so that you’ll know when to expect me.”

“Great.” She sounded a little puzzled. “But I’m the one who should be giving you gifts.”

“Not true. It’s been a great day for all of us.” She pressed the disconnect and turned to Lynch. “Call Griffin and have him send out a couple agents to watch the Walker house. Tell him I want them outside their place within fifteen minutes. Absolutely without fail.”

Lynch reached for his phone. “Why me? You’re the star of his happy little dream team.”

“Because you always manage to make him jump through hoops, and I don’t have any time to waste. Besides, he’d argue with me. He already believes he might have his killer.” She was heading up the stairs of the restaurant. “Just get it done, okay? I don’t want Janice to know that there might be any danger, but I want Zachary to know that the FBI is watching her.”

“And where are you going?” he asked as he waited for Griffin to answer.

“To get a bottle of wine for Janice and a sombrero for Ryan. I need an excuse to look around her house when I go check if Griffin’s come through for you.” She disappeared into the gift store.

*

SHE WAS CHEATING HIM.

Zachary’s hands tightened with fury on the steering wheel as he watched Kendra and Lynch laughing as they said good-bye to Janice Walker at her front door. Then they strolled down the steps and stopped once again at the FBI van down the block.

Not only cheating him, but mocking him? You shouldn’t have done that, Kendra. No one does that to me.